An Ohio proposal seeks to make sure that children cannot get into liquid used in electronic cigarettes.

State Sen. Shannon Jones has sponsored a bill to ban the sale of products used in e-cigarettes that are not contained in child-resistant packaging. The prohibition does not apply to sealed, pre-filled or disposable replacement cartridges.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that provide users with aerosol puffs that typically contain nicotine, and sometimes flavorings like fruit, mint or chocolate.

State law prohibits minors from obtaining, possessing and using the e-cigarettes.

The measure, introduced Wednesday, would require child-resistant packaging even if the product doesn't contain nicotine.

The state's health department would adopt standards for the packaging. But the proposal says it must be constructed to be significantly difficult for a child under age 5 to open.

Offenders could be fined up to $1,000 per violation. Money collected from the penalties would be deposited into the local county treasury.

Columbus pediatrician Dr. Sarah Denny tells the Northeast Ohio Media Group (http://bit.ly/1wJLqMN ) that children can be drawn to the liquids, which are often scented and can contain a higher concentration of nicotine compared with ordinary cigarettes.

Denny serves on the board of directors for the American Academy of Pediatrics' Ohio chapter. She said last year, 257 children nationwide were hospitalized after being poisoned with liquid nicotine. This year, 481 children have been hospitalized as of mid-August. That includes 15 visits to Ohio hospitals.